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Together, we can help save endangered wildlife

Our Approach

100% of your donation supports the species of your choice

Our Approach

Make Twice the Impact for Wildlife

Matching Gifts

We help conservationists carry out their best ideas to protect wildlife.

Learn About Our Approach

Our Strategies

To ensure people and wildlife can coexist and thrive, WCN employs three core strategies—supporting the most effective Conservation Partners with the funding and resources they need to protect wildlife, creating Wildlife Funds that provide flexible grants to a wide range of organizations that protect a specific species across its entire range, and investing in the education and career growth of Rising Wildlife Leaders.

Conservation Partners

We find the best entrepreneurial organizations and invite them to receive in-depth, ongoing support by joining our Network of Conservation Partners. We provide our Partners with the financial resources, tools, and services they need to effectively protect wildlife. Conservationists in our Network work within local communities to find solutions that address the needs of both wildlife and people.

Learn More

Wildlife Funds

We establish Wildlife Funds when we see a need and an opportunity to protect threatened wildlife across a larger landscape. By providing specific, short-term funding to projects from institutions big and small, we harness the power of multiple organizations working to save a species throughout its entire habitat. 100% of donations to WCN'S Wildlife Funds go directly to the field, with zero overhead.

Learn More

Rising Wildlife Leaders

Conservation thrives when local conservationists have the support they need to protect wildlife. We invest in these brave women and men to strengthen their skills, build their organizations, and advance their careers in conservation. Through scholarships and grants, we provide support to the local people who are shaping conservation in their home countries, ensuring we have a greater and more sustainable impact for wildlife.

Learn More

Our Strategies

To ensure people and wildlife can coexist and thrive, WCN employs three core strategies—supporting the most effective Conservation Partners with the funding and resources they need to protect wildlife, creating Wildlife Funds that provide flexible grants to a wide range of organizations that protect a specific species across its entire range, and investing in the education and career growth of Rising Wildlife Leaders.

Conservation Partners

We find the best entrepreneurial organizations and invite them to receive in-depth, ongoing support by joining our Network of Conservation Partners. We provide our Partners with the financial resources, tools, and services they need to effectively protect wildlife. Conservationists in our Network work within local communities to find solutions that address the needs of both wildlife and people.

Wildlife Funds

We establish Wildlife Funds when we see a need and an opportunity to protect threatened wildlife across a larger landscape. By providing specific, short-term funding to projects from institutions big and small, we harness the power of multiple organizations working to save a species throughout its entire habitat. 100% of donations to WCN'S Wildlife Funds go directly to the field, with zero overhead.

Rising Wildlife Leaders

Conservation thrives when local conservationists have the support they need to protect wildlife. We invest in these brave women and men to strengthen their skills, build their organizations, and advance their careers in conservation. Through scholarships and grants, we provide support to the local people who are shaping conservation in their home countries, ensuring we have a greater and more sustainable impact for wildlife.

Conservation Partners

Wildlife Funds

Rising Wildlife Leaders

Elephant

Elephants are among the world’s most intelligent, sensitive and social animals, possessing both empathy and family values.

Learn About Elephants

Lion—Niassa

Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique is one of the last great wild places on Earth and one of the important remaining strongholds for the African lion.

Learn About lions

Spectacled Bear

Spectacled bears, also known as Andean bears, are the only bear species in all of South America.

Learn About Spectacled Bears

Pangolins

Pangolins have the unfortunate distinction of being the most illegally trafficked wild mammal in the world. All eight species of pangolins are threatened with extinction.

Learn About Pangolins

Rhinos

Today, fewer than 26,000 rhinos remain in Africa and Asia. Poaching for their horns and habitat loss continuously threaten the future of these distinctive giants.

Learn About Rhinos

Snow Leopard

The strikingly beautiful but endangered snow leopard remains one of the world’s most mysterious and rarely seen cats.

Learn About snow LEopards

Saiga Antelope

The saiga antelope has been around since the Ice Age and once numbered in the millions; today only 40,000 survive.

Learn About Saiga

Dolphins and Dugongs

Marine mammals play important ecological roles as both predator and prey, but unfortunately, marine mammals in Malaysia are threatened by over-fishing, by-catch, boat traffic, plastic pollution, and noise pollution.

Learn About Dolphins and Dugongs

Penguins

There are 18 different penguin species living throughout the Southern Hemisphere, 55% of which are listed as threatened.

Learn About Penguins

Cheetah—Botswana

Botswana provides a home for approximately 30% of the earth’s remaining 7,100 cheetahs, it is the only country where their population remains stable.

Learn About Cheetahs

Ethiopian Wolf

The Ethiopian wolf is the rarest and most endangered canid in the world.

Learn About Ethiopian Wolves

Grevy’s Zebra

Less than 2,500 Grevy’s zebra exist today; these special animals are distinguishable from other zebras by their larger size and round “Mickey Mouse” ears.

Learn About Grevy’s Zebras

Lion—Ewaso

Kenya is home to less than 2000 lions. In Northern Kenya, outside protected areas, lions and people are learning to coexist.

Learn About Lions

Sharks and Rays

Sharks and rays are essential for healthy oceans, but are vulnerable to human threats like pollution, climate change, and overfishing.

Learn About sharks and Rays

Grey Crowned Cranes

Grey Crowned Cranes are a symbol of longevity, but unfortunately are threatened by habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade.

Learn About Grey Crowned Cranes

Gorillas

Gorillas are strong and social beings, yet they face threats from habitat degradation and disease transmission.

Learn About Gorillas

Cheetah—Namibia

Cheetahs are famous for their speed and agility but are also one of Africa’s most endangered big cats.

Learn About Cheetahs

Cotton-Top Tamarin

The tiny cotton-top, which weighs less than a pound, are found only in northwestern Colombia and are one of the most endangered primates in the world.

Learn About Cotton-tops

Orangutan

Orangutans play a critical role in keeping forests healthy, but are Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and their low reproductive rate.

Learn About Orangutans

Andean Cats

The Andean cat is one of the rarest and least known cats in the world; fewer than 3,000 exist in the mountains of South America.

Learn About Andean Cats

Painted Dogs

Painted dogs have highly social and complex packs and approximately 100,000 dogs existed in the 1900’s, but now only 7,000 dogs are thought to remain.

Learn More About Painted Dogs

Okapi

The gentle, mysterious okapi live only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and though they appear to be half-zebra they are actually the closest relative of the giraffe.

Learn About Okapi

Small Wild Cats

Most people are familiar with big cats, but few could name the 33 species of small wild cats living all around the world.

Learn About Small Cats

Macaws

Macaws are renowned for their beauty, intelligence, and charisma, yet due to their slow reproductive rate very few remain in the wild.

Learn About Macaws

Elephant

Lion—Niassa

Spectacled Bear

Pangolins

Rhinos

Snow Leopard


Saiga Antelope


Dolphins and Dugongs

Penguins

Cheetah—Botswana

Ethiopian Wolf


Grevy’s Zebra

Lion—Ewaso


Sharks and Rays

Grey Crowned Cranes

Gorillas

Cheetah—Namibia


Cotton-Top Tamarin


Orangutan

Andean Cats

Painted Dogs

Okapi


Small Wild Cats

Macaws

TomStahlWCN_Elephants-14

Elephant

Elephants are among the world’s most intelligent, sensitive and social animals, possessing both empathy and family values.

Learn About Elephants

maned lion_SueMcConnell_J7I7805-Edit

Lion—Niassa

Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique is one of the last great wild places on Earth and one of the important remaining strongholds for the African lion.

Learn About lions

Photo Credit Spectacled Bear Conservation_Photo Sbcperu- Wild female spectacled bear (laura) - Dry Forest Peru

Spectacled Bear

Spectacled bears, also known as Andean bears, are the only bear species in all of South America.

Learn About Spectacled Bears

Sunda pangolin (Suzi Eszterhas)

Pangolins

Pangolins have the unfortunate distinction of being the most illegally trafficked wild mammal in the world. All eight species of pangolins are threatened with extinction.

Learn About Pangolins

White rhino (Susan McConnell)

Rhinos

Today, fewer than 26,000 rhinos remain in Africa and Asia. Poaching for their horns and habitat loss continuously threaten the future of these distinctive giants.

Learn About Rhinos

©Eric Ash - Snow Leopard - Rain Leopard_flipped

Snow Leopard

The strikingly beautiful but endangered snow leopard remains one of the world’s most mysterious and rarely seen cats.

Learn About snow LEopards

saiga_Eugeny Polonsky

Saiga Antelope

The saiga antelope has been around since the Ice Age and once numbered in the millions; today only 40,000 survive.

Learn About Saiga

Irrawaddy Dolphin (MareCet)

Dolphins and Dugongs

Marine mammals play important ecological roles as both predator and prey, but unfortunately, marine mammals in Malaysia are threatened by over-fishing, by-catch, boat traffic, plastic pollution, and noise pollution.

Learn About Dolphins and Dugongs

Susan McConnell Penguin (4)

Penguins

There are 18 different penguin species living throughout the Southern Hemisphere, 55% of which are listed as threatened.

Learn About Penguins

cheetah_Ken and Michelle Dyball

Cheetah—Botswana

Botswana provides a home for approximately 30% of the earth’s remaining 7,100 cheetahs, it is the only country where their population remains stable.

Learn About Cheetahs

Ethiopian Wolf_credit Rebecca Jackrel_RRJ_EWP157

Ethiopian Wolf

The Ethiopian wolf is the rarest and most endangered canid in the world.

Learn About Ethiopian Wolves

Grevy's zebra_Jeff Bonner

Grevy’s Zebra

Less than 2,500 Grevy’s zebra exist today; these special animals are distinguishable from other zebras by their larger size and round “Mickey Mouse” ears.

Learn About Grevy’s Zebras

Ewaso Lions_2 lions_crop

Lion—Ewaso

Kenya is home to less than 2000 lions. In Northern Kenya, outside protected areas, lions and people are learning to coexist.

Learn About Lions

Sharks MAR

Sharks and Rays

Sharks and rays are essential for healthy oceans, but are vulnerable to human threats like pollution, climate change, and overfishing.

Learn About sharks and Rays

Grey Crowned Cranes

Grey Crowned Cranes

Grey Crowned Cranes are a symbol of longevity, but unfortunately are threatened by habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade.

Learn About Grey Crowned Cranes

Mountain Gorilla

Gorillas

Gorillas are strong and social beings, yet they face threats from habitat degradation and disease transmission.

Learn About Gorillas

Steve Mandel cheetah pack

Cheetah—Namibia

Cheetahs are famous for their speed and agility but are also one of Africa’s most endangered big cats.

Learn About Cheetahs

cotton_top_Credit PT_KATIE G.AS Abril 2016

Cotton-Top Tamarin

The tiny cotton-top, which weighs less than a pound, are found only in northwestern Colombia and are one of the most endangered primates in the world.

Learn About Cotton-tops

Orangutan_Credit Greg Hume

Orangutan

Orangutans play a critical role in keeping forests healthy, but are Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and their low reproductive rate.

Learn About Orangutans

cropped and flipped_Jacobo 10_Andean cat_credit Juan Reppucci AGA

Andean Cats

The Andean cat is one of the rarest and least known cats in the world; fewer than 3,000 exist in the mountains of South America.

Learn About Andean Cats

painted dog_WillBurrard-pdc-12

Painted Dogs

Painted dogs have highly social and complex packs and approximately 100,000 dogs existed in the 1900’s, but now only 7,000 dogs are thought to remain.

Learn More About Painted Dogs

Okapi at Epulu breding center

Okapi

The gentle, mysterious okapi live only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and though they appear to be half-zebra they are actually the closest relative of the giraffe.

Learn About Okapi

Ocelot rests on a tree.

Small Wild Cats

Most people are familiar with big cats, but few could name the 33 species of small wild cats living all around the world.

Learn About Small Cats

Great Green Macaw

Macaws

Macaws are renowned for their beauty, intelligence, and charisma, yet due to their slow reproductive rate very few remain in the wild.

Learn About Macaws

1 / 24

Your Support in Action

With the continued support of generous donors, WCN is helping conservationists protect endangered wildlife across every continent. Our 100% model ensures that any donation designated for a specific species goes directly to the conservationists protecting that species, with zero overhead taken out. In our first 20 years, WCN raised over $268M to protect wildlife, their habitats, and the people who live alongside them, creating a lasting and continuously growing impact for conservation. We are proud to maintain the highest possible 100% 4-star rating through Charity Navigator, America’s leading independent charity evaluator.
Learn More

Pulling Kenya's Giant Pangolins Back From the Brink

Although long thought to be extinct in Kenya, The Pangolin Project, a grantee of WCN's Pangolin Crisis Fund (PCF), has located and is working to protect the small number of giant pangolins left in the country. They were rediscovered in 2018 through several scattered sightings, and since then, The Pangolin Project and Kenya Wildlife Service have been carefully monitoring their fragile population of 30-80 individuals.

1,060 Grey Crowned Cranes Recorded

RWANDA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION (RWCA) sixth annual census involved extensive aerial and ground surveys across all of Rwanda. Census results showed an increase in crane numbers—the first time the population has risen above 1,000 and more than double the amount of cranes present in Rwanda since RWCA first began their work.

5,000 People Participating in Community Camera Trap Program

NIASSA LION PROJECT’S (NLP) community camera trap program engaged people from eight villages across Mozambique’s Niassa Special Reserve. Every photo of wildlife they collected was converted into income awarded to the villagers by NLP. This program helps NLP assess wildlife distribution across the Reserve and offers local communities a tangible incentive to participate in wildlife conservation. So far, over $25,000 has been earned by these communities for the collection of wildlife images.

44 New Painted Dog Pups Were Recorded

PAINTED DOG CONSERVATION (PDC) counted 44 new pups last year during their monitoring of 10 packs in Zimbabwe—the largest number of packs they have ever tracked at once. PDC also studied the Mpindothela pack, which is composed of painted dogs previously cared for in PDC’s rehabilitation facility. Their continued survival emphasizes the importance of PDC’s integrated approach and direct intervention through rehabilitation.

Helping Saiga Thrive in Aralkum

Pale dust plumed as the Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA) team pulled their vehicles off the main road, arriving at two...

Read More

Conservation as a Natural Climate Solution at COP 28

Right now, tens of thousands of world leaders, NGOs, scientists, and businesses have converged in Dubai for the annual UN...

Read More

U.S. Pelly Amendment Can Tip the Scales in Pangolins' Favor

In his recent letter to Congress, President Biden has given the Chinese government until December 31, 2023 to comply with...

Read More

Holiday Gifts for Animal Lovers

With the holiday season upon us, now is the time to show our nearest and dearest how much they mean...

Read More

Highlights from WCN's Wildlife Conservation Expo

We just wrapped up this fall's Wildlife Conservation Expo, an incredible weekend of exciting events and informative presentations on our...

Read More

Connecting California: Mapping Wildlife Crossings

WCN’s California Wildlife Program gave a grant to Wildlands Network, who collaborated with the California Department of Transportation and other...

Read More

Fostering the Next Generation of Macaws

Fabio Castrillo was greeted by the sparse squawking of macaws as he entered the aviary at sunrise. Some birds still...

Read More

Absolving India’s Fishing Cats

The afternoon heat draped across Murthy Kantimahanti as he entered Baruva, a village in the South Indian state of Andhra...

Read More
All News & Stories
Saiga Antelope (Oskanov)

Stories: Saiga Conservation Alliance

Helping Saiga Thrive in Aralkum

Pale dust plumed as the Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA) team pulled their vehicles off the main road, arriving at two... Read More
Whale Shark (Ollie)

News Update

Conservation as a Natural Climate Solution at COP 28

Right now, tens of thousands of world leaders, NGOs, scientists, and businesses have converged in Dubai for the annual UN... Read More
Chinese pangolin (Suzi Eszterhas)

News Update

U.S. Pelly Amendment Can Tip the Scales in Pangolins' Favor

In his recent letter to Congress, President Biden has given the Chinese government until December 31, 2023 to comply with... Read More
Saiga bull-Pavel Sorokin

Corporate Partner

Holiday Gifts for Animal Lovers

With the holiday season upon us, now is the time to show our nearest and dearest how much they mean... Read More
Expo opening 2023 (Chloe Jackman Studios)

Expo

Highlights from WCN's Wildlife Conservation Expo

We just wrapped up this fall's Wildlife Conservation Expo, an incredible weekend of exciting events and informative presentations on our... Read More
Puma - Aptos CA (Sebastian Kennerknecht/pumapix.com)

Stories: California Wildlife Program

Connecting California: Mapping Wildlife Crossings

WCN’s California Wildlife Program gave a grant to Wildlands Network, who collaborated with the California Department of Transportation and other... Read More
Macaws in MRN aviary (MRN)

Stories: Macaw Recovery Network

Fostering the Next Generation of Macaws

Fabio Castrillo was greeted by the sparse squawking of macaws as he entered the aviary at sunrise. Some birds still... Read More
Fishing Cat

Stories: Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation

Absolving India’s Fishing Cats

The afternoon heat draped across Murthy Kantimahanti as he entered Baruva, a village in the South Indian state of Andhra... Read More
Photography Credits: Jeff Bonner, Will Burrard, Saloni Bhatia, Ken and Michelle Dyball, Daniel Haesslich, Rebecca R Jackrel, MarAlliance, Steve Mandel, Susan McConnell, Jon McCormack, Frank af Petersens, Proyecto Tití, Corey Raffel, Juan Reppucci, Navinder Singh, Tom Stahl, Jack Swenson, SBC Peru, Martin Harvey, Jean-Francois Lagrot, Christian Sepulveda, John Dickens, Ruben Digilio, Steve Potter, Colleen Begg, Albert R.Salemgareyev, Sea Sense, Peter Lindsey, Spectacled Bear Conservation, Greg Hume, ©Andrew Peacock/www.footloosefotography.com, Asma Hersi, Will Burrard, Suzi Eszterhas (pangolin)
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